CRS to Senate: Violence Is Driving Surge in Unaccompanied Children

When the CRS program Youth Builders was implemented in the community of Los Atlantas, in El Salvador, participants turned this soccer court—which had been a dangerous gang war post—into a peaceful place. Photo by Silverlight for CRS

Catholic Relief Services’ Rick Jones, the deputy regional director for Global Solidarity and Justice for Latin American and the Caribbean, testified before the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs today on the current spike of unaccompanied Central American children fleeing violence and crossing into other Central American countries and the United States, creating a refugee situation.

“Increasing desperation has led many families, youth and children to the inevitable conclusion that they have no choice but to flee. They are primarily fleeing violence, not poverty. They aren’t just coming to the United States; in fact, other Central American countries have experienced a 712% increase in asylum claims between 2008-2013. We are witnessing the results of the drug war and gangs: child refugees.”

About CRS Newswire

CRS Newswire is your source for the latest information on disaster response as well as for background on CRS programs that promote development in 101 countries around the world. CRS Newswire features timely analysis by CRS experts as well as reports on the agency’s efforts to help create a more just and peaceful world.

Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. We alleviate suffering and provide assistance to people in need in 101 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality.